Linebackers eager to lead

After all, Kansas University's top three returning linebackers this fall are all 6-foot or taller and each weighs 215 pounds or more.

And Greg Cole's stunning gold suit Â emblazoned on the back cover of KU's media guide Â would stand out in any setting.

But the three Â senior co-captains Cole and Leo Etienne and sophomore Banks Floodman Â have had an uncanny ability to adapt to change during their brief Jayhawk careers. None more so than last season, when all three spent time starting on defense Â a unit that spent more than its fair share of time on the field in surrendering a Big 12-worst 398 points.

Now, the three are adjusting to a new role Â leadership.

"We've got 11 leaders on this team," said Etienne, who was second on the team last season in total tackles with 94. "If one guy goes down, 10 guys are there picking him up."

Mark Mangino's team-oriented approach alone won't be enough for Etienne and company to fill the void created by the departure of two of Kansas' top defensive players from a year ago.

"It's really tough to replace those type of players, because both of them were great players," Etienne said. "But I feel like we have two strong, competitive linebackers to fill in those spots."

One of those linebackers is Cole, Etienne's roommate who, like Etienne, transferred from Hutchinson Community College, switched from defensive end to linebacker and played in all 11 games, including three starts, late in the season.

The other No. 1 candidate to start is Floodman, one of just four true freshmen to play last season.

Shortly after his arrival, Floodman switched from safety, where he was a standout in high school at Wichita Collegiate, to linebacker.

Floodman also played in all 11 games. He had 11 tackles at Texas after Rogers was injured in the first quarter. He then started the final two games in Rogers' place, making 13 tackles versus Iowa State and 12 against Wyoming.

"We expected them to come in and play their part and they did a tremendous job," Etienne said. "They are just like starters. They know the system and they're ready to step in and get rolling."